One of the most acute pressure points in life and culture today is our collective and individual journeys toward mental health. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we thought we’d take an opportunity to dig a little deeper into this critical and relevant topic that affects us all. This is a four part series exploring topics concerning mental health, disciple-making and community with friends and guests, Dr. Kevin and Dr. David.
In Part 4 we discuss (1) how mental health affects belonging, (2) the difference that connectedness and hope make in our mental health journey, (3) boundaries and enablement, (4) the goal for all people to thrive and flourish, and (5) how Dr. Kevin and Dr David would counsel pastors on how to come alongside those with mental disorders.
Dr. Kevin
Kevin, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 1992 from Texas A&M University (APA accredited) and became a licensed professional psychologist since 1994. Dr. Kevin has been a full-time faculty member for 30 years in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas where he currently teaches masters and doctoral students in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology and also serves as the training director for the Mental Health Counseling master’s program. Additionally, Dr. Kevin served 20 years as a disaster mental health counselor for the American Red Cross where he has provided disaster intervention in the aftermath of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other disasters. Dr. Kevin has been a believer and follower of Jesus since college and has served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, house church leader, and Perspectives team member. For the past six years, Dr. Kevin has provided trauma and recovery workshops for volunteer agencies in Turkey, Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Lebanon working with Middle Eastern refugees and has also provided direct crisis interventions with refugees in Turkey, Jordan, and Greece.
Dr. David Wheeler
David Wheeler, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 1996 from Texas A&M University (APA accredited) and became a licensed psychologist in 1997. He is currently the Clinical Vice President at the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home which is a psychiatric residential treatment facility. In recent years, he has led in the development of a curriculum for adolescent residents, The Community Model of Residential Care, that's designed to help youth develop skills required to be an effective member of almost any “community”, including their family, school, neighborhood, church, job, and other communities. Dr. Wheeler also has a small private practice where he primarily counsels adults and adolescents. In the past couple of years, David has been part of a small home church trying to learn and implement the Disciple Making Movement (DMM) concepts. It is his desire to help believers live healthily in spirit, mind/emotions, body, and relationships.